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  • In Southend-on-Sea, the population size has increased by 4.1%, from around 173,700 in 2011 to 180,700 in 2021.

    There is currently no local DAB operating in this catchment area.

  • Once we are licenced as the multiplex operator, radio services can approach City DAB Digital to buy carriage on our transmitted signals across the area.

    We have capacity to broadcast over 25 radio services and yours could be one of them.

    As part of your contract with City DAB a monthly fee is payable. This will relate to the cost of providing the DAB signal across the area.

    To give an indication, daily costs for a radio service broadcasting to over one-million adults start at around £25 per day, about the cost of a round of drinks or a one-day Southend to London travel card

    If you are a community radio station and qualify for an Ofcom C-DSP licence, the costs are lower than that, because we will subsidise carriage fees.

    Things are moving fast in DAB-land so it is vital to register early because with an area as popular as Southend, interest will be high and space limited to just 25 services.

Beyond your own studio and related operating costs, you’ll need a broadcasting licence from Ofcom

 If you are a community group based within our coverage area you can simply apply to the regulator for a standard Community Digital Sound Programme licence (called a C-DSP licence). As a local service serving the South London community, we will charge C-DSPs preferentially low rates of charge.

More details here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/201876/cdsp-licence-guidance.pdf
Commercially orientated radio services need to apply to Ofcom for a DSP Licence.
More licence details here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/10889/dsps_das.pdf
Ofcom charges the same fees for C-DSP and DSP licences. The application cost is £250 while the licence fee is £100 per annum, thereafter.
Finally, as the multiplex operator, we ask you to provide a fully ‘broadcast ready’ audio stream to our designated input address(es). 
If a station needs technical support, there may be a charge.
A small administrative charge may also apply.

Other broadcaster information

City DAB is not a broadcaster but a provider of transmission facilities for radio stations who want to broadcast to South East Essex.
By remaining independent we are in a position to ensure that each of those who operate the radio services we carry will be treated fairly and openly. This will be reflected in our trading policy.